[Link].

com
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
5
BALI PLACES
We generally stay in Seminyak or the
surrounding area (including Umalas,
Pettinget and Kerobokan). This area is on
or close to the beach, it has a great mix of
shopping and it also has some of the
islands best restaurants. Seminyak is
much quieter than Kuta (and Legian to an
extent) which can be pretty full-on for
some and action packed for others. It all
depends on what you are looking for,
however we find that the hustle and
bustle of Kuta is only a short cab ride
away if we up for it.
Ubud provides for another relaxing option
but in the Mountains. We are not totally
familiar with it, however it is worth
checking out. Some people love it and
there are plenty of amazing restaurants,
art galleries and places to stay.
Nusa Dua and J imbaran are home to some of the bigger resorts, and some of the nicer
white-sand crystal-blue water beaches found on the island. In comparison, the beach
stretching between Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and past Canggu has darker volcanic sand,
which can make the water not look as nice.
Between, Nusa Dua and J imbaran are Ulawatu and Bingin which have most of Balis
famous surf spots and are great for those looking to spend a lot of time in the water. This
whole end of the Island can be great if you want to chillax in your resort/villa/beach shack
or concentrate on surfing, but there is not much else to do after dark (although there are
some great seafood restaurants in J imbaran). The restaurants and bars of Kuta, Legian and
Seminyak can be between 30 minutes and 40 minutes away in good traffic.
Hi there,
The following is a guide to Bali (but mainly Seminyak) that we have put together for anyone
who is looking for a few pointers. We are no experts as Bali is such a great island and there
are so many ways to spend your holiday. Rather, the following is meant to provide some
helpful suggestions based on where we like to stay, eat, shop, rest, relax and have fun.
Regardless of whether you try none, one or all of these suggestions, we are sure you will
love it and have a great holiday.
N
Denpasar
Canggu
Seminyak
Jimbaran
Bingin
Ulawatu
Nusa Dua
To Ubud
Kuta
Legian
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
BALI PLACES...
In terms of other places to stay on the Island, Cangu can provide a really quiet Villa
experience out in the rice fields and close to the beach. There are also heaps of other
places that are worth checking out that we havent got to yet, but we will look to keep this
page updated as we do...
^ Sunny view from the J imbaran cliffs ^ Crystal blue waters near Nusa Dua
^ Balangan Beach near Bingin ^ Sunset from Rock Bar in J imbaran
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
Villas
Villas can be super fun and cost effective
for groups. They are also great if its just
you on your own or as a couple. Nearly all
villas will have staff and swimming pools.
Villas come in two forms; there are those
that are part of managed complexes,
and there are those that are individually
managed (which can be amazing and
provide great value but harder to find).
Some Villa complexes we would suggest
checking-out include:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Another option would be to check out
[Link]. These guys
have basically started a business by
signing up heaps of the separate and
individually managed Villas to a central
website to make the search much easier.
Their Villas are great spots all over Bali and
range from high quality budget
accommodation to the super-dooper
high-end luxury experience. Villas range
from one to seven-plus bedrooms and
special deals are available if you mention
Mister Zimi.
ACCOMMODATION
As far as accommodation goes, it all depends on your budget and how many of you there
are. There are largely two accommodations options: villas or hotels.
Cheap deal websites like Agoda and Wotif are worth looking at, but we would suggest
contacting each provider directly. Rates vary depending on the season. Bali has High and
Peak seasons, with the cheaper periods in-between. High season includes Easter, J uly and
September, while Peak periods are in August (Euro holidays), and around Christmas.
^ Villa J emma at Laksmana Villas
^ One of the many Villas available through iLuxury Villas
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
Hotels
There are some fantastic hotels in Bali too.
The massive resort style accommodations
are mainly in Nusa Dua and J imbaran.
The Ayana in J imbaran (which is the old
Ritz Carlton) is a massive resort with
unbelievable pools and bars on cliff
edges. In Seminyak the pick of the
beach-front luxury hotels would include
the Anantara, The Legian, The Samaya,
the Oberoi and the Sofitel (which is the
cheaper one of this bunch, but still nice).
The Island is a cheaper accommodation
option set in a quite lane just back from
Legian Beach. Centrally located, The
Island is a boutique hostel/hotel that has a
range of accommodation options from
small dorms to deluxe private rooms. It is
owned and run by some friends of ours
and provides for a really relaxed and
intimate environment where you can chill
by the pool, meet travellers from all over
the globe or simply use it as a base while
still maintaining a high level of privacy
and good clean comfort.
Accommodation at The Island starts at
$30 per night and if you mention Mister
Zimi they will take care of you with a 10%
discount, free airport pick-up and a free
massage for each guest. Check it out at
[Link].
Photos courtesy of The Island Hotel Bali
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
Hotels continued ...
Yarra Villas provide really well appointed
and modern serviced apartments in a small
complex just behind the busy shopping
and dining strip of Seminyaks main drag.
This is great for young families and small to
large groups holidaying to a budget, but
still want the comfort of great
accommodation. If you mention Mister
Zimi when making your booking you can
get a 10% discount. Check out
[Link].
Other cheap & clean hotels include The
Breezes, Villa Diana and The Harmony
which can start at $60 a night.
Great holiday option for the girls ...
Surf Haven Bali is based in Seminyak and
provides all inclusive surf retreat and spa
holidays for women. Typically lasting one
week, guests are taken through a surf,
yoga and wellbeing program. The
programs are designed for women of all
ages and abilities and include, luxury villa
accommodation, daily surf and yoga
classes, spa treatments and healthy food
prepared by a resident chef.
If you become a fan of Surf Haven on
Facebook you can qualify for 15% off this
women's luxury surf and yoga retreat in Bali.
Check [Link] and
([Link]
^ Yarra Villas Bali
^ Photos courtesy of Surf Haven Bali
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
GETTING AROUND
Taxis are cheap and most hotels will have
drivers that you can take for short trips or
for the day.
Taxis run by the meter or you can arrange
a set fee before you travel.
Andreas is a local taxi driver/ tour guide/
handy man/ all around nice guy. His
personal motto is that every day is a
good day. He is extremely trustworthy,
has a great personality to be around,
speaks very good English and can take
you anywhere in Bali. He has been driving
us and all of our friends around for the last
six years and has become a great friend.
He can pick you up from the airport if
needed, you just need to text him
beforehand with your dates and flight
number or you can contact us and we will
organise it for you. He has a mini van that
can fit up to 8 people, but he can also
arrange larger buses if needed.
Please feel free to contact him if you are
heading over as his business is based
largely on word of mouth from these
emails or other people he meets. He
knows so much about Bali and its culture
and is a pleasure to be around. You can
contact him on +62 8180 555 1060 or let us
know via email and we can set it up for
you.
^ Andreas
^ Andreas with his family
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
THINGS TO DO
Karma Kandara is an amazing resort on a
cliff that has a private beach with beautiful
crystal blue water. Visitors are asked to pay
a Rp 250,000 deposit per person (approx.
$30) to use the private beach which is
accessed by a private elevator. The deposit
can then be used as credit to pay for food
and drinks at the beach restaurant .
Approximately 40 minutes from Seminyak,
the beauty and views at Karma Kandara
are one of a kind and well worth a day trip.
Balangan and Padang Padang beaches are
fantastic white sand beaches with clear
blue water. These beaches have great surf
and great surfers. There are also small Cafes
(or Warungs) which rent sun beds, and sell
drinks and cheap basic (and largely safe)
food.
A day trip to Ubud and the Volcano is a
great idea for anyone interested in seeing
another side to Bali. The trip up and back is
fascinating enough driving through rice
fields and small villages. There are hundreds
of things to do, but some suggestions
include checking out the steep rice
terraces, the volcano hot springs, the
Bedugul Botanical Gardens, the Ubud
markets and monkey forest.
Andreas can organise bikes which are great
for the trip back. This allows you to get out
of the car, and immerse yourself in the
sounds and smells of Balis rural areas while
quietly rolling through rice fields and several
beautiful villages that specialise in wood,
silver and stone craftsmanship.
A water sports day at Nusa Dua is a great
way to spend a day. Andreas can organise
this for you at a discounted rate. We went
with about ten of us and had an absolute
ball. It was hilarious! Activities include:
snorkelling, banana boating, jet skiing,
paragliding, visiting turtle island and the
amazing (and very unsafe looking) Flying
Fish!!
A day or afternoon at Waterbomb Park in
Kuta is also worth a look at for those who
love waterslides.
^ Resort pool at Karma Kandara
^ The Flying Fish is one of the Watersport activities at Dusa Dua
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
PLACES TO EAT & DRINK
Here is a list of some great restaurants, the
majority of them are in Seminyak. They are
mostly owned by ex pats from all over the
world and the food is great! Most of these
are shown on the map on the next page.
Cab drivers will know all of them.
La Lucciola is a beautiful restaurant on the
beach in Seminyak. You will need to book in
busy seasons. Great for a sunset dinner and
also breakfast. This is one of our favourites!
Sea Circus is a new restaurant between
the Samaya Hotel and Bodyworks. The Chef
is from Long Grain and the food is amazing
and reasonably priced. It is impossible to
take a wrong turn on the menu. There are
amazing cocktails and a great vibe
throughout. A must do. If you mention Mister
Zimi you will be able to get a free Salt &
Pepper Squid or Tempura.
Ku De Ta is on the beach in Seminyak.
Expensive but definitely worth going to even
for a cocktail at sunset.
Cafe Bali is another favourite. Its in
Laksmana Street and great for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Cheap too!
Trattoria and Ultimo, also in Laksmana Street,
are great Italian restaurants and relatively
cheap. Pizzaa at Trattoria make for a great
light lunch.
Kaima Good Moroccan
Chandi Great Chinese/ Asian.
Kaisan J apanese and Korean BBQ Good
sitting upstairs
Zucchini Cafe is an awesome little cafe for
lunch and breakfast. Worth checking out at
least once. The salads during the day make
for a perfectly filling and healthy choice.
Corner Store is good for breaky and lunch.
Sarong is a beautiful restaurant in Seminyak.
Expensive for Bali but worth treating yourself!
Lemon Grass has good cheap Thai food.
Biku in Pettinget has a awesome menu
ranging from local curries and cuisine to
hearty country style cooking. Great for lunch
or dinner.
Zulu at the top of Dhiana Pura Street has
unbelievably yummy & healthy vegan food.
Ryoshi is a popular J apanese restaurant
Pantarei is a Greek restaurant, band plays
on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Much
more atmosphere these nights.
Gado Gado is a beautiful french restaurant
on the beach in Seminyak.
Rock Bar is built onto the cliff at the Ayana
resort in J imbaran. Great for sunset drinks.
Jimbaran Bay does beautiful sunset dinners
on the beach with super fresh seafood.
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
SHOPPING
Mister Zimi now has a show room in Bali where you can see and try on the whole range. We
will have stock of most items, but if not and you come early in your stay we should be able
to make and deliver your order before you leave. It would be great to see you on your next
trip to Bali!!! Our address is 117X J alan Drupadi, Seminyak (see the map).
[Link]
Bali Bible by . . .
mister zimi
OTHER SHOPPING
Laksmana Street has some of the best
boutique shopping. Dont bother bargaining
in these shops, they are designer stores but
the prices are really reasonable. For
example a Magali Pascal dress that I bought
for $150 Australian in Bali was for sale in
Australia for $600.
Some of my favourite shops include: Magali
Pascal, Lulu, Uma and Leopold, Simple
Koncept Store, State of Georgia, Zuttion
(great for guys too) and Prisoners of St
Petersberg.
J ust wonder up and down this street and
you will be sure to find some great things.
There is also some good shopping in Raya
Seminyak which is the main Street
connecting Kuta and Seminyak, as well a
J alan Kunti.
Day Spa
Body Works in Seminyak is one of the most
popular. I would recommend the body bliss
massage, its two ladies massaging in
symmetry at the same time. Pure heaven.
You will need to book your appointments in
advance as it gets really busy. Also good for
other beauty treatments like pedicures,
manicures and waxing etc.
Supermarkets
The Bintang Supermarket is handy to get bits
and pieces. There is also a good chemist a
couple of doors down from there next to the
silver shop. All taxi drivers will know where to
take you.
Bali Deli in J alan Kunti is a supermarket/ deli
that caters mainly to westerners.
CASH & CURRENCY
You will need $25 US per person on arrival to
enter Bali for a 30 day tourist visa. To get
money out from the ATMs in Bali costs you
quite a bit and the majority of them only let
you get 1.5 million Rupiah, which is about
AUD$180. Commonwealth Bank ATMs
charge only $2 for withdrawals if you are
with Commonwealth in Australia. These
ATMS also allow you to withdraw up to Rp 3
million at any one time. On the screen
where it shows the automatic withdrawl
values, choose the Main Menu option and
you can manually punch in Rp 3 million.
You can exchange cash at the airport once
you have passed immigration and customs.
Money exchangers in Bali will mostly likely
provide you with a better exchange rate
than what you can get in Australia.
The best value when changing money over
can be found on the streets at any of the
Authorised Money Exchangers. BE
CAREFUL though and always double count
the money they give you. Most are honest,
but some perform magic hand tricks, where
you count the money and are happy with
the transaction only to find later that there is
less than you thought there was. Anything
around or above Rp 7,800 to the Aussie
dollar is generally pretty good value, but this
will obviously depend on the prevailing
exchange rate.
Thats probably about all you need to know
to get you started. The rest you will find
yourself. Please do not hesitate to contact
us on info@[Link] if you have any
questions J imi & Zoe